Fact Sheet ST-621
October 1994
Taxodium distichum ‘Monarch of Illinois’
‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress1
Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2
INTRODUCTION
The unusually wide-spreading, pyramidal form on
‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress eventually develops
into a broad-topped, spreading, open specimen when
mature (Fig. 1). Landscape specimens will probably
grow more than 100 feet tall. Spread on this cultivar
is typically about two-thirds the height, so allow plenty
of room. Trees grow at a moderately fast rate,
reaching 40 to 50 feet in about 15 to 25 years.
Although it is native to wetlands along running
streams, growth is often faster on moist, well-drained
soil. The pale green, needle-like leaves turn a brilliant
coppery red in fall before dropping, but the bare
branches and reddish gray, peeling bark provide much
landscape interest during the winter. The trunk grows
unusually thick toward the base, even on young trees.
The small seeds are used by some birds and squirrels.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Scientific name: Taxodium distichum ‘Monarch of
Illinois’
Pronunciation: tack-SO-dee-um DISS-tick-um
Common name(s): ‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress
Family: Taxodiaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: native to North America
Uses: hedge; large parking lot islands (> 200 square
feet in size); wide tree lawns (>6 feet wide);
medium-sized parking lot islands (100-200 square feet
in size); medium-sized tree lawns (4-6 feet wide);
recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or
for median strip plantings in the highway; reclamation
plant; screen; shade tree; small parking lot islands (<
Figure 1. Middle-aged ‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress.
100 square feet in size); narrow tree lawns (3-4 feet
wide); specimen; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); residential
street tree; tree has been successfully grown in urban
areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted
soil, and/or drought are common
1.
This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-621, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 1994.
2.
Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering
Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.
Taxodium distichum ‘Monarch of Illinois’ -- ‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress
Page 2
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small
number of nurseries
Fall characteristic: showy
Flower
DESCRIPTION
Height: 60 to 90 feet
Spread: 60 to 70 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a
Flower color: brown
Flower characteristics: inconspicuous and not
showy; spring flowering
regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more
or less identical crown forms
Crown shape: pyramidal
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Fruit
Foliage
and other mammals; inconspicuous and not showy; no
significant litter problem
Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: lanceolate; linear
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: copper; yellow
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
Fruit
shape: oval; round
length: 1 to 3 inches; .5 to 1 inch
covering: dry or hard
color: brown; green
characteristics: attracts birds; attracts squirrels
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and
will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian
clearance beneath the canopy; showy trunk; should be
grown with a single leader; no thorns
Pruning requirement: needs little pruning to develop
a strong structure
Taxodium distichum ‘Monarch of Illinois’ -- ‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress
Page 3
Surprisingly, the roots do not appear to lift
sidewalks and curbs as readily as some other species.
Its delicate, feathery foliage affords light, dappled
shade, and the heartwood of Baldcypress is quite
resistant to rot. However, most lumber available at
lumber yards today is sapwood and is not resistant to
rot.
Figure 3. Foliage of ‘Monarch of Illinois’ Baldcypress.
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: green
Current year twig thickness: thin
Wood specific gravity: 0.46
Culture
Light requirement: tree grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; slightly alkaline;
acidic; extended flooding; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerance: moderate
Other
Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem
Winter interest: tree has winter interest due to
unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter
trunk, or winter flowers
Outstanding tree: tree has outstanding ornamental
features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: not known to be
susceptible
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not
affected by pests
Baldcypress is ideal for wet locations, such as its
native habitat of stream banks and mucky soils, but the
trees will also grow remarkably well on almost any
soil, including heavy, compacted, or poorly-drained
muck, except alkaline soils with a pH above 7.5.
Locate where the sun will strike the tree on all sides
for best symmetrical development. Baldcypress is
relatively maintenance-free, requiring pruning only to
remove dead wood and unwanted drooping lower
branches which persist on the tree. It maintains a
desirably straight trunk and a moderately dense
canopy, and does not form double or multiple leaders
as do many other large trees.
The cultivar ‘Shawnee Brave’ has a narrow,
pyramidal form, 15 to 20 feet wide. ‘Pendens’ has
drooping branchlets and large cones. Taxodium
distichum var. nutans (Taxodium ascendens) is native
to wet, boggy areas with standing water, whereas
Taxodium distichum is most common along streams.
Propagation is by rooting cuttings.
Pests
Mites can be particularly troublesome in dry
summers without irrigation, causing early leaf
browning and defoliation in mid to late summer.
Bagworms can cause some cosmetic damage.
Diseases
USE AND MANAGEMENT
Although often seen at water’s edge where it will
develop "knees", or root projections, that will extend
above the water, Baldcypress can also be grown in dry
locations and makes an attractive lawn, street, or shade
tree. Cypress knees do not generally form on these
drier sites. Cities from Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX to
Tampa, FL currently use the species as a street tree
and it should be used more extensively throughout its
range in urban landscapes. It provides a good vertical
accent to the landscape and should be used more often
in urban areas. Baldcypress can be clipped into a
formal hedge, creating a wonderful soft screen.
Twig blight is caused by a weak pathogen and is
usually present on dead or dying tissue. When the tree
is stressed the fungus can kill branch tips. Dead tips
can be pruned off. Do not let dead or diseased
branches remain on the tree. Keep trees healthy with
regular fertilization.